Crime Watch

CRIME WATCH

April 04, 2007

Arrest made quickly after store shooting

The 31-year-old West Baltimore man who was shot outside a drugstore in the Mid-Town Belvedere neighborhood Monday night was in critical but stable condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center yesterday, police said.

Donta Madison was shot in the back, a hand and an arm while on the parking lot of the Rite Aid in the 200 block of W. Chase St., near Martin Luther King Boulevard, about 10:30 p.m., according to police.

Three men were arrested about a block away in the 1200 block of Cathedral St., and one, a 26-year-old West Baltimore man, was charged with attempted murder.

"This case came to a quick and satisfying end," said Agent Donny Moses, a police spokesman. "We had help from witnesses. That's half the battle."

Moses said Madison had bought items at the Rite Aid and was returning to his car when he ran into a friend on the parking lot. The two talked, and Madison offered to accompany his friend into the store while she shopped, Moses said.

When the pair walked back outside, Madison was approached by a man with a 9 mm handgun, Moses said. Witnesses saw the gunman chase Madison and shoot him, the spokesman said, and Madison staggered into the Rite Aid and collapsed.

Police officers heard the gunshots, sped to the scene and found a witness who described the getaway vehicle, which Moses said was quickly found near Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Moses said three people in the car were arrested. Reginald Woodson, 26, of the 1500 block of Presstman St. was charged with attempted murder and was being held at Central Booking and Intake Center, Moses said.

Police did not release the names of the other two people because charges were pending.

A gun believed used in the shooting was recovered from the car, police said.

Moses said detectives don't know whether the victim was targeted or whether he knew his assailants.

Annie Linskey

Vandals damage 47 vehicles

Vandals spray-painted obscenities on 47 vehicles, including two marked municipal police cars, in a southern Harford County subdivision in the early-morning hours yesterday, authorities said.

Vehicles in the Belcamp neighborhood were coated in white paint and in one case, covered with raw eggs and mustard. Sheriff's deputies reported damages to vehicles parked at 23 homes on Foxglove Court, Foxglove Square and Arabis Court.

Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism. Call 888-540-TIPS.